Weekly Fitness Update: Why I Run

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Weekly-Fitness-Update.jpgphoto credit cocoen daily photos on flickr

“I’m not where I was…but, I’m not where I was.”

That’s what I found myself thinking about my weight-loss a couple of days ago. I was thinking that, no, I’m not where I was when I started losing weight almost 5 years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long!), but I’m not where I was at my lowest point a couple of years ago either.

I want to get back to the lower end of that spectrum, so while I’m proud of the fact that I’m not where I was (the 2009 version), I don’t want to let that become an excuse not to get back where I was (the 2011 version).

To make that happen, my workout of choice is running. I never thought I’d be a runner. Ever. I really enjoy it, though – not always when I’m psyching myself up to go and not always while I’m doing it, but always after I’ve done and am basking in the feeling of accomplishment.

And sweat. I’m usually basking in sweat, too.

I like running because once I get started I don’t have to think about it much. I can chat with my running buddy, let my mind wander, ponder some problem I’ve been having, or spend some time in prayer. I don’t have to count anything or have too much coordination. I can just kind of put my mind on autopilot and burn some serious calories.

I don’t really think it matters a whole lot what method of exercise you choose as long as it burns decent calories and you enjoy it – at least as much as one can enjoy a workout. If you don’t like your workout method of choice, it’s a whole lot easier to talk yourself out of it on the bad days.

What I did well this week:

  • Ran 3 days
  • Had good water intake

Yes, it’s a short list. It wasn’t the best week. However, I did step on the scale on Monday – yes, I know I said I wasn’t going to and I really wasn’t, but I found myself right there beside it and temptation overcame me. It wasn’t as bad as I was afraid it might be. I’m holding steady, which is better than gaining, but I want to be losing.

What I want to focus on next week:

  • Tracking my food – This has been such a struggle for me. I don’t know why. Because of a crazy schedule for the rest of this week, I’m not going to stress over it, but I’ve already put a note on my planner to remind me to get started logging again on Sunday.
  • Make better food choices on Friday and Saturday – These two days have become a huge stumbling block for me – probably because we’ve eaten out more than usual lately.
  • Pay careful attention to my step count each day since my workout schedule is going to be out of whack for the rest of this week.

I know this isn’t a very motivational post, but maybe it’s at least real. I’ll be honest – it’s hard to struggle with this after having had so much success. You would think that I would be over the complacency, but I think it’s going to be a constant battle. I refuse to quit, though. Do or do not. There is no try.

Have you had a successful week?

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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.

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8 Comments

  1. I’m a walker and was in fabulous shape a few years back. Then I had my 4th child, a long recovery process, a husband with a crazy travel schedule etc. I’m finally back to exercising regularly. I’m trying to get back to where I used to be, walking 4 -5 miles a day, and its a struggle. My shins are acting up again and I desperately need new shoes. Can’t really afford it right now, but just might have to bite the bullet and do it.

  2. You know, each one of us battles with something (for us, it just happens to be weight). It is God’s way of refining us to become the people he knows we are capable of being. You’ve done it before, you can do it again. ‘Do or do not, there is no try’ is a great mantra. Praying this week is all you want it to be.

    1. You know, Claire, I never thought of it like that. Even after reading Made to Crave, I’ve always thought of this as a physical struggle – my physical struggle. But, maybe it’s at least partially a spiritual struggle – one that I need to give to God. You’ve given me something to think about today. Thank you for that and for your prayers.

  3. You are right Kris. Running is absolutely the surest way of losing that weight. I ran 4 times a week, doing a 5 K each month for a year and was in the best shape of my life. That was 6 years ago now and I am trying to get back into it but this 56 year old body does not adapt to running as easily as my 50 yr old body did.

  4. I am at the beginning of my weight loss journey, again. It is unfortunately a place I have been several times before, as well as at the other end of the journey. Trying still to find my exercise “sweet spot”. I know that once I do lose the weight, it will be a lifetime of maintenance! I’m down just over 9 pounds at this point, and have maintained that loss for about 3 weeks. Time to get moving again so I can lose some more (about 50 pounds to go).

  5. I read a blog recently where the author stated about weight loss and exercise, “it’s never over” and that really hit home. Sometimes it’s easy to see weight loss as this race, and if we can only make it to the finish line… but the truth is, there is no finish line. Realizing that has helped me a lot. Every day we can make choices to improve our health. Big choices or little, they all help. The only real failure is when we stop trying. Thanks for blogging your journey- it inspires me on mine!

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